In 1 Kings 2, young King Solomon learns that a strong king obeys God, keeps His ways, and trusts that God keeps His promises. This lesson suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps every promise He makes, and when we follow Him and do what is right, we can trust Him to take care of us. Even when things feel hard, God is still in charge.
Memory Verse
1 Kings 2:3
And keep the instruction of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself.
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand tall with their hands on their hearts, then slowly lift both arms up like a strong tree branch. Say the words together while moving, and repeat the motion three times so it sticks.
The Story: 1 Kings 2 for Kids
King David was very old, and he knew that his time on earth was almost over. He called his son Solomon to his bedside. David told Solomon to be brave and strong, and to follow God’s instructions carefully.
David reminded Solomon that God had made a promise: if his children walked faithfully before Him, a son of David would always sit on the throne of Israel. David also gave Solomon some hard advice about people who had done wrong in the past. Solomon listened carefully to his father’s words.
After David died, Solomon became king and his kingdom was firmly established. But then Adonijah, Solomon’s older brother, came to Solomon’s mother Bathsheba with a request. He asked her to speak to the king so he could marry Abishag. Bathsheba agreed to ask, and she said, “Please, I have one small favor to ask.”
Solomon saw right through Adonijah’s request. He knew that wanting the king’s helper meant Adonijah was trying to take the kingdom. King Solomon said, “Why would you ask for Abishag? Ask for the whole kingdom!” Then Solomon sent Benaiah to make things right, and Adonijah was put to death.
Joab and Abiathar had also helped Adonijah. Joab ran to the Tent of the LORD and held onto the altar, thinking it would protect him. Benaiah went to the tent and told Joab that the king had sent for him. Joab would not leave, so Benaiah obeyed the king and Joab was put to death. Solomon then put Benaiah in charge of the army and Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.
Shimei had cursed David long ago, and Solomon told him to stay in Jerusalem. Shimei broke that promise, and so Solomon had him put to death too. The chapter ends by telling us that the kingdom was established in Solomon’s hand.
Read It Together
1 Kings 2:4
Then the LORD may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your children are careful of their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you,’ he said, ‘a man on the throne of Israel.’
(WEB)
Point out that God’s promise to David depended on his children being careful to walk before God in truth. Explain that God keeps His promises, and He also asks His people to follow Him faithfully.
1 Kings 2:12
Solomon sat on David his father’s throne; and his kingdom was firmly established.
(WEB)
Show the children that Solomon sat on his father’s throne and that his kingdom became strong. Remind them that God gave Solomon a place of honor, and this happened exactly as God had said.
1 Kings 2:26-27
26 To Abiathar the priest the king said, “Go to Anathoth, to your own fields; for you are worthy of death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you bore the Lord the LORD’s ark before David my father, and because you were afflicted in all in which my father was afflicted.” 27 So Solomon thrust Abiathar out from being priest to the LORD, that he might fulfill the LORD’s word, which he spoke concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
(WEB)
Point out that Solomon spared Abiathar’s life because Abiathar had served God faithfully with the ark. Explain that God rewards faithfulness, and that even kings must obey God’s word.
Talk About It
- What did David tell Solomon to do to be strong and wise?
- Why do you think God’s promises are so important to keep?
- How did Solomon show that he trusted God when he made decisions as king?
- What can we learn from how Adonijah asked for things that did not belong to him?
- How can you follow God’s ways in your own home or at school this week?
Activity Ideas
Crown Craft Drawing
Give each child a paper strip and some crayons or markers. Ask them to decorate a crown and write one way they can be strong in following God on the front. Help them tape the strip into a circle so they can wear it home.
Strong Tree Movement Game
Play a simple game where children stand still like trees when you call “Strong,” and sway gently like breezes when you call “Wind.” Each time they stand strong, have them say the memory verse together. This helps them connect the idea of strength with God’s word.
Promise Keeper Take-Home Card
Cut a sheet of paper into card-sized pieces and let each child draw a simple picture of something they promised to do. Write the words “God keeps His promises” on the back. Encourage families to talk about one promise they keep this week together.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God’s promises are sure, but they come with an invitation to walk faithfully with Him. Adults can see that while the chapter includes hard events, the central thread is that God establishes His king and His kingdom according to His word. Readers should also notice that Solomon’s choices reflect wisdom and the seriousness of justice.
Avoid suggesting to children that obeying God guarantees an easy life or that anyone who has trouble must have disobeyed. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and on the simple call to trust and obey Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank You that You always keep Your promises. Help us to be strong and brave, to walk in Your ways, and to trust You every day. Make us wise and faithful like Solomon when he listened to his father’s advice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
